The county of Champagne, which was one of the more important feudal states in France,
was created in the beginning of the 12th century with the merger of the counties of Meaux
and Troyes. The latter town became the capitol of Champagnes and it had been the residence
for Frankish dukes (570-714) and thereafter for hereditary palatine counts who came to be
known as counts of Troyes. The de facto independence of Champagnes came to a close when
the countess Marie married the heir to French throne 1284. Champagne was united with the
royal domain when their son Louis became king of France 1314.